This year's gala is Thursday, March 26th at El Tropicano Hotel. This year's keynote speaker is John Quinones, Emmy Award-winning co-anchor of ABC News and creator and host for the ABC show “What Would You Do ?" It will be a night to award scholarships and recognize community champions.

Latin Grammy winner Joe Posada will be entertaining us with the unique melodic fuse of tejano and jazz sound that many have come to love throughout his career.For sponsorship information email us at fund@ceclef.org or call 364-5506.

This year's march, Co-Sponsored by the City of San Antonio is scheduled for Saturday, March 28th. Join us for this beautiful San Antonio tradition as we march to honor and pay tribute to a great American role model and hero Cesar E. Chavez.

This year's Grand Marshal is Tejano music legend and Grammy winner Joe Hernandez, "Little Joe of Little Joe y La Familia." We will depart from Avenida Guadalupe to Alamo Plaza at 10 a.m.

Please see time of all four sessions below. If you have any questions please respond and of course you all know!!!

"I love you ain't a thing you can do about it in Jesus' name, be blessed" (smile)Greater Faith Institutional Church A.O.T.W.M. will be hosting our 18th Annual Co-Ed Conference Friday-Sunday, March 6th-8th. We are requesting your presence at either session if only for a brief moment. The Dates and times of the sessions are as follows:

Friday, March 6th @ 7 p.m.

Saturday, March 7th @ 10 a.m.

Saturday, March 7th @ 7 p.m.

Sunday, March 8th @ 11:30 a.m.

The Lord as blessed us for 18 years to be able to give back to our city through educational scholarships, membership fees to the boys and girls club of San Antonio, honor the elderly, support our neighborhood associations, bless families that go through the lost of a family member or friend, be a active voice for those that are not able to speak for themselves and so much more through our conferences. Your presence will be greatly appreciated. This is one more great event that you can make a difference, be a voice to shape and change someones life for the better. Prayerfully we see you at this Great Move of God in our city and of course you know!!!

"I love you ain't a thing you can do about it in Jesus' name, be blessed." (smile)

Friday, February 27, 2015

Together, the South Side of San Antonio and the Harlandale School District helped shape who I am today. I would do anything, in my power, to repay both the community and HISD. With that in mind, after prayer, family and community support, I am announcing my candidacy for Harlandale School Board District 6. I am guided on this journey by many supporters including my friend, Anthony Alcoser. Anthony has held this position and served on the board for the last 12 years. I want to thank him for his service to the district and for his support. I look forward to working with all of you very soon to help preserve and improve HISD.Carlos QuezadaHISD Board candidate £6

We were ready with the new signs and thanks, Rod, for cleaning up all the old ones. But when the filing deadline hit at 5:00 p.m. today, I found out I am officially unopposed. It's is a great honor to serve this District and I ask you to pray with me that I do well, continuing to serve, in the years ahead.Patti Radleformer SAISD Board member

On Thursday, February 26 Our Lady of the Lake University unveiled their 2015 Fiesta Medal in a rousing ceremony held on the front of the campus.

The West San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and Melendrez Entertainment were proud attendees at the event. West Chamber Members Ryan and Lisa Blank from Menchies Frozen Yogurt on Marbach Rd. provided those in attendance with free samples of their tasty product.

District 6 Councilman Ray Lopez will be the featured speaker at the second 2015 West Chamber Council Breakfast series event taking place on Wednesday, March 18 at the El Tropicano Hotel. The event starts with a 7:30 a.m. registration and an 8 a.m. program start.

The final event will take place on April 15 featuring an address by District 5 Councilwoman Shirley Gonzales.

Recently, a sold out crowd of over 170 West Chamber members enjoyed the District 7 address featuring Councilman Cris Medina on a range of topics including Economic Development, transportation and education in the diverse and dynamic community.

The West Chamber City Council Breakfast Series is a non-political, policy based event aimed at informing our membership about the happenings taking place at City Hall - specifically pertaining to the Districts involved with their respective events. This is the 3rd Annual Council Breakfast Series, quickly turning into one of the benchmark events for the West Chamber.

For more information on this series, or to secure tickets and or a corporate table of 8, please call (210) 229-1266 or email Julie@westsachamber.org.

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

"Dr. Sylvia Manzano is a Principal at Latino Decisions. She holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Arizona. Manzano's academic research on Latino politics and policy issues has appeared in many academic outlets including Political Research Quarterly, State Politics and Policy Quarterly, Politics and Gender, and Urban Affairs Review.

She has been interviewed by numerous media out...lets including NBC Latino, The New York Times, La Opinion, Fox News Latino, The Los Angeles Times and National Public Radio. Prior to joining Latino Decisions, Manzano taught at Texas A&M University." - Latino Decisions

And she will join us at our workshop. You can too @ Univision, 12451 Network Boulevard from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Top 10 Abraham Lincoln facts

1. He was the only president to have a patent: Lincoln invented a device to free steamboats that ran aground.2. He practiced law without a degree. Lincoln had about 18 months of formal schooling.3. He wanted women to have the vote in 1836. The future president was a suffragette before it became fashionable.4. He was a big animal lover, but he wouldn’t hunt or fish. If he were alive today, Lincoln would be running an animal shelter.5. He really was a wrestler. Lincoln was documented as taking part in wrestling bouts. We don’t think he wore a mask or had a manager.6. He lost in his first bid for a presidential ticket. The unknown Lincoln was an unsuccessful vice presidential candidate in 1856 at the Republican convention.7. He never belonged to an organized church. Lincoln read the Bible daily, but he never joined an organized church in his lifetime.8. He didn’t drink, smoke, or chew. Lincoln was a simple man of tastes, and he never drank in the White House.9. He didn’t have a middle name. Lincoln went through his life with two names.10. He hated being called Abe. Apparently, he preferred being called by his last name40 more Lincoln facts11. Lincoln established Thanksgiving as a national holiday.12. He was the first president born outside of the 13 original states.13. Lincoln loved to eat oysters.14. Lincoln’s cat ate at the White House dinner table.15. His dog was named Fido.16. His cat was named Tabby.17. His favorite food was fruit.18. He was also a big fan of chicken casserole.19. Lincoln was the first president to use the telegraph.20. He used the telegraph like email to communicate with generals.21. Lincoln’s mother was killed by poisoned milk.22. Lincoln’s life was saved twice when he was young.23. Grave robbers were foiled in 1876 when they tried to steal Lincoln’s body.24. He was the first president with a beard.25. Lincoln argued a case before the Supreme Court in 1849 and lost.26. Lincoln failed in his first business.27. Lincoln’s shoe size was between 12 and 14.28. His coffin has been opened five times.29. Lincoln was estranged from his father and didn’t attend his funeral.30. Lincoln didn’t play musical instruments.31. Lincoln served one term in the U.S. House of Representatives.32. He ran for the U.S. Senate twice and lost.33. Lincoln won the popular vote in Senate campaign against Douglas but lost the election.34. Lincoln was shot on Good Friday.35. Lincoln was photographed with John Wilkes Booth at his second inauguration.36. There are no direct living descendants of Abraham Lincoln.37. Booth’s brother saved the life of Lincoln’s son on a New Jersey train platform.38. Lincoln was part of séances after his son died in the White House.39. Lincoln’s animals also died in a White House stable fire.40. Someone shot at Lincoln in 1864 and put a hole in his stovepipe hat.41. Lincoln was the first president to be assassinated.42. He was a judge on the circuit court in Illinois.43. Lincoln defended the son of his most famous wrestling opponent from murder charges.44. Lincoln battled depression for much of his life.45. Lincoln was seemingly obsessed with cats.46. He was set to take part in a duel, but it was cancelled at the last second.47. Lincoln kept his important documents inside his hat.48. Lincoln’s dog Fido was killed by a drunken assailant a year after Lincoln died.49. Lincoln’s suit was made by Brooks Brothers.50. Lincoln’s guest at Ford’s Theater was Ulysses S. Grant, who cancelled at the last second.

Monday, February 23, 2015

David L. Rosa has filed paperwork as a candidate in the special election to be held for Texas House of Representative for District 124.

"I am excited to be given the opportunity to represent my community. My family has lived in this district for more than 13 years and it is our home. This seat should remain the people's seat & I, like Senator-Elect Jose Menendez, will put issues above party,"

- David L. Rosa, candidate for Texas House of Representative of District 124.

He has been married to his wife for 29 years, and they raise their three children deep in the heart of the district. He graduated from Loyola University before working in the Daley Administration in Chicago. He then worked as a corporate manager at AT&T, prior to settling down to be with his family in San Antonio, practicing as an independent insurance agent.

David is a practicing Catholic Christian in his church where he has served on the altar for many years. He was a substitute teacher and Instructional Assistant for NISD and his children’s school. He was a member of the 2010 NISD Bond Committee and has been a community leader for several years.

David was raised a Democrat in Mayor Richard J. Daley's Chicago and has worked in both the father and the son’s, Richard M. Daley, administrations. As the son of Hispanic parents, David understands that the American Dream is about opportunity, hard work and prosperity.

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Last week’s column spoke about a
missing article –faith. It suggested how faith was necessary to reach one’s
goal and be successful. Those thoughts lead to another thought—“What if.”

I started my “What if” journey with
the question, “What if” I had attended a different college than Texas Wesleyan
College in Fort Worth. Better still, “What If” I had not attended college at
all? How would my life be that different
than it has been so far? My quick answer would be my life would be vastly
different.

Although my family, especially my
father, had doubts about my being successful in gaining an education, much less
my bachelor’s degree, I was able to graduate in the top fifty percentile. I was
even able to achieve the honor of being voted by my peers as “Most likely to
succeed” in spite of all the detractors making bets that I would drop out and
then be shipped out to Viet Nam. Considering the odds were against me
graduating at all, that is pretty good I think. While I graduated, I did get
drafted and sent to Viet Nam anyway.

I was the only one in my supply
company in Phu Bai, who had a college diploma for what it was worth. When I
bragged to my fellow soldiers I was voted most likely to succeed, I did notice
they rolled their eyes and mumbled something about me being the most likely to
be sent home in my own personal body bag!

Attending Wesleyan I earned a
teacher’s certificate. I taught 26 years in public school around town in San
Antonio. Imagine if I had never been a teacher? Would a shy 12-year-old I
taught in middle school in the seventies now be a County Court Judge in Bexar
County if I hadn’t taught him? Would a young man whom I also had in class in
the nineties, be currently running for a City Council seat this year with a
good chance of winning, not choose to run if he wasn’t my student? I like to
think he wouldn’t.

What if I hadn’t run to be a Justice
of the Peace and served four years on the bench? Most likely I wouldn’t have
been asked to write a column for La Prensa about a JP court. If I hadn’t lost
my primary, last election cycle, I might still be writing “Ask the Judge”
instead of “Just a Thought.” Without a college degree none of that would very
likely happened.

As I grow older and hopefully wiser,
I have posed the question many times, “What if?” in many different
circumstances. Apparently it is a lifelong process that won’t stop any time
soon. It is what it is.

You could say that the thought of “What
if” has given me a new perspective.

I have been looking for all these
years for an answer to “What if”and it was right in front of me, inspired by
divine revelation. No matter how you word it, how you spin it, it still boils
down to God’s plan. He saw my lifespan and determined what would be best for
me. Now it comes down to the execution which relies on “faith.”

And as always, what I write is “Just
a Thought.”

Steve Walker is
a Vietnam Veteran and former Justice of the Peace and Journalist

Linda Hartman Walker-Publisher

Since January 1st, 2013, I have served as the Walker Report Publisher of this impartial and informational blog. I will still serve as a political blogger. Steve Walker will continue to take photos for the Walker Report that bears his name as well as Editor. As the bloggers, we will continue to strive to maintain the quality of photos and information we present to our viewers. You can still submit information to misterbalconesheights@yahoo.com Walker Walker Report Publisher Linda Hartman Walker

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"Just a Thought" in La Prensa

Read La Prensa of San Antonio every Sunday on editorial page for former Judge Steve Walker's column, "Just a Thought," that focuses on local Hispanic Icons like former HUD Secretary& Mayor Henry Cisneros, former Councilwoman Maria Berriozabal, deceased Archbishop Patricio Flores, activist Jaime Martinez, & Tino Duran, & International singer Dr. Patsy Torres. Walker is a current member of the San Antonio Association of Hispanic Journalists, (SAAHJ)